NBA2K24 REVIEW:
KOBE STEALS THE SHOW ONE MORE TIME

Rob Crowther, Editor In Chief

It’s only fitting that NBA2K24 honors the late, great Kobe Bryant, who famously dawned the number 24 jersey across multiple stellar seasons with The Los Angeles Lakers. Aside from NBA2K’s always solid gameplay and stellar graphics, the Kobe Bryant Mamba Moments feature is the real star of the show. 

 

MAMBA MOMENTS

 

This was hands down my absolute favorite part of the game, reminding me of the Jordan Challenges in previous games. Players have the opportunity to play as Bryant throughout his decorated career during milestone games that include his high scoring outings, massive playoff wins, encountering Jordan on the court, comebacks and more. The challenges are tough but fair, and definitely provide a much needed sense of accomplishment after playing quick play matches or online play. The feature was very well executed with old school player models, stellar graphics, and even some old school television graphics that take you back in time. Very well done all around. 


 

GAMEPLAY

 

The NBA2K24 gameplay and controls are very similar to a majority of the games in past years, which is actually a very good thing. Outside of NBA2K21 shooting mechanics, the gameplay has been very usual friendly and fun.  Nothing out of the ordinary here (which again, is a good thing) outside of a Pro Play feature which highlights real life gameplay signature moves from NBA Stars such as Kevin Durant, Lebron James, and the like. This is a great feature which I’d actually like to see utilized more in the coming games. 

 

Other new features mark the first ever cross platform online gameplay which is a stellar business move and should open a lot of doors for the franchise. Long overdue. 

 

MY CAREER / TEAM / LEAGUE:

 

The MY CAREER modes vary from year to year based on storyline, cameos, player ability, and many more factors. This year’s installment has a lack of storyline outside of side quests and challenges, and focuses much more on games.  Although the production, cameos, and trying to get drafted out of college were a lot of fun in the past, I actually don’t mind the more get right to the point approach here. It seems that most of the production and storyline went towards the Mamba Moments (and rightfully so) but the MY CAREER modes still have a ton of options, shopping, and limited free world exploration. As always, my biggest issue is the major reliance on microtransactions to get a player’s abilities up and styling the way you’d like them to. 

 

Create modes and models are fun, but could still stand to be less limited and more like the WWE2K games of the past with more options.

 

Little things I noticed included slightly more focus on WNBA gameplay than in year’s past and more varied commentary which I didn’t mind. Little things like incredible small font size on player report cards in my career and the trivia games threw me off for a second, but maybe I’m just getting old. 

 

NBA2K24 is the definition of a straight up solid game, but the real draw here is the gameplay and tribute dedicated to The Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant. 

 

8.0 out of 10